Trouble in Paradise: Hawaii's Floods Wreak Havoc

More than 465 people have been rescued from dangerous floodwaters on the Hawaiian island of Kauai as of Wednesday, and evacuation efforts are still underway, according to local media.

The U.S. Army, National Guard, and the county have airlifted more than 340 people from the area since Monday and are going back for more evacuations, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho's office said Wednesday.

As the island works to recover from a damaging storm system that moved through over the weekend, officials and crews are working to clear landslides and repair fallen utility poles. Meanwhile, state health officials have advised residents in some areas not to drink or cook with tap water as a precautionary measure due to a damaged main line.

Heavy rains caused flooding and mudslides Saturday, forcing residents and tourists into evacuation centers. Roads were closed, including on the island's North Shore.

The National Weather Service recorded 28.1 inches (71 centimeters) of rainfall in the small North Shore town of Hanalei between 2 a.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. The record for a 24-hour period in Hanalei was set in 2012 at 28.54 inches (73 centimeters).

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources said about 25 people elected to be airlifted out of a state park on Kauai on Monday.

Hanalei Elementary School, the only school closed on Kauai, kept its doors shut Wednesday, but anticipated reopening on Thursday.

A flash flood warning for the island has been issued through at least Friday afternoon, and more rain is expected to hit the area Thursday. This system, however, isn't expected to cause as much damage as this past weekend's system.

"While this system isn’t expected to be as severe as the last one, we will be keeping a close eye on the weather and make the necessary adjustments to keep all our people and visitors safe," Carvalho, Kauai's mayor, said in a press release.

On Tuesday, Hawaii Governor David Ige directed the Department of Taxation to extend tax filing deadlines for residents affected by the flooding; this includes an extension to pay state taxes that would otherwise be due on Friday.